Abstract
Nunavik (Northern Quebec, Canada) is experiencing a mining boom. While several studies have been conducted in the region in relation to climate change, the effects of mining have received much less attention. In this study, we explored the use of biofilms in natural streams as an indicator of potential stress on living organisms caused by metal contamination from nickel mining activities. More specifically, we assessed diatom assemblages and the presence of teratologies (morphologic abnormalities) as a response to metals in streams located in close proximity to mining sites. Metal concentrations (as well as other cations), anions and pH values varied markedly among stations. Different diatom assemblage structures (four biotypes, i.e., groups of samples with similar diatom species composition) were observed depending on the level and the type of contamination. The frequency of diatom teratologies was higher in metal contaminated sites. The present study lays the foundation for bioassessment of metal contamination in low Arctic streams using diatom-based approaches, and will serve as a point in time reference for future evaluation of ecosystems degradation or recovery in Nunavik.
Highlights
Northern regions of Canada are generally undeveloped vast and pristine environments that have been so far minimally impacted by direct human activities
We explored the use of biofilms in natural streams as an indicator of potential stress caused by metal contamination from nickel mining activities in Nunavik
A total of 176 diatom taxa were identified among the 99 samples collected, with species identified as Achnanthidium minutissimum complex and Fragilaria capucina complex the most dominant and frequent taxa observed across the study area
Summary
Northern regions of Canada are generally undeveloped vast and pristine environments that have been so far minimally impacted by direct human activities. Spécifique [2]; IDEC: Indice Diatomées de l’Est du Canada [3,4]) and for identifying inorganic and organic contamination based on various descriptors such as the presence of teratologies, tolerant species, or other physiological and molecular responses (e.g., [5,6,7]) While these indicators and biomarkers have often been used in temperate and tropical regions, their use in low Arctic streams is scarce and information is lacking, for example, regarding tolerant diatom species. This remote northern region is ideal for assessing metal contamination on the biota as other anthropogenic stressors (e.g., eutrophication) are limited, which reduces confounding effects from several types of perturbations
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